Protest new Valley tax

Marie Antoinette’s comment, “Let them eat cake,” is less callous than Spokane Valley City Council’s proposed sweeping 6 percent tax on all utilities for road upkeep. Sink your teeth into that.

Dissenting Councilwoman Pam Haley was surprised by Mayor Higgins’ agenda. This is a financial tax hardship, without exempting the 37 percent of residents at or below the poverty level. It raises $1.5 million over what is needed. Some testified why not a smaller small tax?

But we’ve been duped. The proposed tax is also for “railroad grade separation,” aka “Bridging the Valley.” This hidden, pork barrel project is due to council’s unwillingness to send a letter of support for the state transportation package after notified it was going to pass, former Councilman Ben Wick told the council. We could’ve had $19 million for railroad overpass, heralded as economic development. A new tax builds on residents’ hardship while investors benefit. Your money is used, not theirs.

The city’s deluxe road budget needs to be reduced. The City Council has fabricated the extent of the problem. Protest.

Mary Pollard

Spokane Valley